Minnesota's deer population has grown thanks to two straight mild winters and harvests that were kept low to help rebuild the herd. The Department of Natural Resources says that may mean more deer sightings and slightly more harvest opportunities, though one-deer limits remain in place for much of Minnesota.

The DNR projects the total harvest at 165,000 to 185,000 deer, up from a little more than 159,000 last year.

Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point Resort are hosting this year's Minnesota Governor's Deer Opener. Gov. Mark Dayton plans to attend the Youth Expo at Breezy Point on Thursday, and speak at the banquet that evening.

Minnesota has nearly 500,000 firearms deer hunters, though not all of them hunt every year.